I'm asking for my fellow Stude and Forum folk to give thier opinion on a subject. I not trying to come across as a whiner, or a big baby but would like your feedback.
My kids and I went to a wonderful show last Sunday(skipped church). I've been a participant for 5 years now. The first 2 years in a 49 Hudson, the last 3 a 66 Daytona.
It's rough; floors are rusty, fenders are rusty, paint is just about non existant(someone hosed it over sometime in it's past). I've been gathering parts for the 4 years I've had it, new sheet metal, grill parts, rockers and so on. I hope this is the winter I'll tear it apart and have it look nice by next spring.
The Daytona was absolutely the roughest one there. Point being my daughter and I were made to feel that the car didn't belong there.(it is an orphan) My daughter, whom the car belongs to and to whom I promised to have done by age 16, sat by her car for a good part of the day. She was the recipient of several negative comments. "Did ya just drag that thing out of a barn?". "I bet ya bought it off ebay and drug it here,huh". "Where's the wrecker that brought it here". Last year a guy commented about it's being a "rough one" and I said to him "I'm here, where's yours and how much did ya spend on it". I even had a couple of negs from Stude guys. I realize that they aren't typical of Studebaker family folk, but wondering if I should go to any events with it's not being pretty. Three years ago spring, I showed pictures of it to the main organizer, he said "bring it".Underneath all of the ugly is a 56k mile 230 that runs like new, a completely rebuilt front suspension,serviced trans that works perfectly,new exhaust system from manifold back with all of the correct bends and hangers, a 331 factory twin track that has had seals and new gear oil installed, brakes completely gone through, new tires, a drive shaft the has had new U joints installed, a gas tank that's been completely cleaned out and sealed, an electrical system that works perfectly including BU lights, park lights, headlights, turn signals, radio,glove compartment light, park brake warning light, clock and heat/defrost system(gets cold in Michigan).
I absolutely would go anywhere in it, including Cedar Rapids or to Bob Peterson's in Calfornia. It's taken 4 years to get it to this point and now I'd just about rather give it all away. It's been a fun thing for kids and I to do to distact us from some of the bad stuff in the world and in our lives. Folk loved my Hudson when I had taken it in the past. I'd tell folk to sit in it, start it up and see how it feels. My cars have always been drivers as in "Studebaker Drivers Club". I traveled all over the country in a 57 Broadmoor for several years and put right at 200k on it. I've never been afraid to drive em, cause I knew what they were made of and what I'd done to them to remove the fear. Not everyone can have a show quality car, but the desire and ability and know how is there, but not the money it takes.
I did a show quality 63 Lark, which I still own, for my Dad back in the early eighties. It was fun, but ya had to be so protective; rubbin and wipin and cleaning. Took some of positive edge off.
I don't mean to run on and on, but I've had this on my mind since Sunday. Shoulda gone to church and skipped the show.
Kim
My kids and I went to a wonderful show last Sunday(skipped church). I've been a participant for 5 years now. The first 2 years in a 49 Hudson, the last 3 a 66 Daytona.
It's rough; floors are rusty, fenders are rusty, paint is just about non existant(someone hosed it over sometime in it's past). I've been gathering parts for the 4 years I've had it, new sheet metal, grill parts, rockers and so on. I hope this is the winter I'll tear it apart and have it look nice by next spring.
The Daytona was absolutely the roughest one there. Point being my daughter and I were made to feel that the car didn't belong there.(it is an orphan) My daughter, whom the car belongs to and to whom I promised to have done by age 16, sat by her car for a good part of the day. She was the recipient of several negative comments. "Did ya just drag that thing out of a barn?". "I bet ya bought it off ebay and drug it here,huh". "Where's the wrecker that brought it here". Last year a guy commented about it's being a "rough one" and I said to him "I'm here, where's yours and how much did ya spend on it". I even had a couple of negs from Stude guys. I realize that they aren't typical of Studebaker family folk, but wondering if I should go to any events with it's not being pretty. Three years ago spring, I showed pictures of it to the main organizer, he said "bring it".Underneath all of the ugly is a 56k mile 230 that runs like new, a completely rebuilt front suspension,serviced trans that works perfectly,new exhaust system from manifold back with all of the correct bends and hangers, a 331 factory twin track that has had seals and new gear oil installed, brakes completely gone through, new tires, a drive shaft the has had new U joints installed, a gas tank that's been completely cleaned out and sealed, an electrical system that works perfectly including BU lights, park lights, headlights, turn signals, radio,glove compartment light, park brake warning light, clock and heat/defrost system(gets cold in Michigan).
I absolutely would go anywhere in it, including Cedar Rapids or to Bob Peterson's in Calfornia. It's taken 4 years to get it to this point and now I'd just about rather give it all away. It's been a fun thing for kids and I to do to distact us from some of the bad stuff in the world and in our lives. Folk loved my Hudson when I had taken it in the past. I'd tell folk to sit in it, start it up and see how it feels. My cars have always been drivers as in "Studebaker Drivers Club". I traveled all over the country in a 57 Broadmoor for several years and put right at 200k on it. I've never been afraid to drive em, cause I knew what they were made of and what I'd done to them to remove the fear. Not everyone can have a show quality car, but the desire and ability and know how is there, but not the money it takes.
I did a show quality 63 Lark, which I still own, for my Dad back in the early eighties. It was fun, but ya had to be so protective; rubbin and wipin and cleaning. Took some of positive edge off.
I don't mean to run on and on, but I've had this on my mind since Sunday. Shoulda gone to church and skipped the show.
Kim
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